Prosecutors Say Alex Rodriguez Paid Cousin to Stay Quiet

MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. government says New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez paid his cousin almost $1 million to keep secret Rodriguez's use of performance enhancing drugs.

In court documents filed last week in Miami, federal prosecutors say Rodriguez paid $900,000 last year to settle a threatened lawsuit by Yuri Sucart, who had worked as Rodriguez's personal assistant. Sucart, in a letter from his lawyer, threatened to expose Rodriquez's PED use if he wasn't paid $5 million.

Sucart is charged with conspiring to distribute testosterone and human growth hormone. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in February.

Sucart was involved with Biogenesis of America. Its owner, Anthony Bosch, has already pleaded guilty and is cooperating with investigators.

Rodriguez's spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.